Adams Meets Orde After Policing Row

Just days after a monthly NI Policing Board meeting in Belfast was stunned by PSNI boss Sir Hugh Orde accusing Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey of undermining his force, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has met the Chief Constable today.

Their latest meeting comes after the row which followed this very public Sinn Féin criticism of policing in west Belfast.

Sir Hugh hit out at what he called "groundless allegations that officers were failing to investigate crime effectively".

At the monthly Policing Board meeting, Sir Hugh first conceded that his force was "not perfect" but vehemently denied that his officers were failing to act against crime.

"Broad statements saying my force is not up to it merits a response from me as I believe my force is up to it," he said, at the time.

He hit out at Sinn Féin's stance, which he said was at best manipulative and at worst anti-police, and that he had requested a meeting with Gerry Adams about the matter.

He denied claims by Sinn Féin members that the police had not acted on intelligence ahead of violence in Belfast - including the recent murder of former republican prisoner Frank McGreevy - despite a man having been charged in connection with the violent death.

However, the four-hour meeting which took place today at Hillsborough Castle, was described as "constructive" with Sir Hugh saying: "There has been a frank exchange of views and I think that is what is healthy about policing in Northern Ireland."

Referring to the criticism he made over the "unsatisfactory" policing in the area, Gerry Adams said: "The remarks that I made were made after being briefed about how the PSNI had handled the direct aftermath of the murder of Bap McGreevy.

"I have concerns and expressed those concerns and I do so in a constructive and positive way and I think the way the PSNI responded to that was an over reaction - the fact is because some-one like myself makes a valid and constructive criticism it should not be knee jerked to.

"We are dealing with the murder of a man and with concerns the community has about how that happened."

Sir Hugh said the Sinn Féin leader has accepted there is only one legitimate police force in Northern Ireland.

See: Top Cop Squares Up To Maskey Over West Belfast

(BMcC/KMcA)